Hain hits out at BNP bid to boost recruits
THE British National Party has come under fierce attack from Neath MP Peter Hain after it set up stall in the heart of his constituency.
BNP members were in Neath town centre at the weekend, handing out copies of the party's newsletter — which heavily criticises Mr Hain and calls for him to be sacked — as part of an ongoing national recruitment drive.
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Party official Brian Mahoney said: "The reaction has been very positive.
"We have had the occasional bigot, but most people have been very sympathetic and interested.
"There is dissatisfaction with Labour in particular, but also Plaid and all the old gang.
"Those political parties have become disgraceful in the way they have let this country down and sold us out.
"We are getting more and more support in South Wales, Mid Wales and North Wales, and all over the country."
Mr Hain said he was very concerned to hear the BNP had been active in Neath.
"They are a force that has to be confronted and defeated whenever they appear from beneath their stones," he told the Post.
"Their poisonous influence is disastrous for any community where they gain a foothold.
"We have seen where it has happened elsewhere.
"We have seen hatred spread and in every possible way.
"It's terrible news for any community — especially a God-fearing, respectable place such as Neath, which has a fine tradition of community caring, of respect for people whatever their background, whatever their beliefs and whatever the colour of their skin.
"I will be consulting party colleagues and others to make sure they are confronted wherever they appear next."
Mr Hain dismissed a BNP assertion that it was gaining ground on Labour as a fantasy.
He was also dismissive of its newsletter, which features his well-publicised failure to declare election expense donations on time.
It says the requirement to apologise to the Commons is not punishment enough and calls for Mr Hain to be sacked.
"I'm treating that with the contempt it deserves," said Mr Hain.
"The support I have had from the people of Neath has been absolutely magnificent."
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by Bobby Shaftoe, Sunderland
Saturday, January 31 2009, 10:55PM
“The first thing New Labour did when coming to power was to abolish the death penalty for treason. It is obvious they were thinking of their own miserable necks getting stretched.
New Labour, aided and abetted by the tories and lib/dums have split the united kingdom to the point of abolition. They hate us all.”
by publican!, NEATH
Thursday, January 29 2009, 3:25AM
“I work in a public house in neath not too far from Mr Hains office.... I have heard many "Racist Comments " against black, asian, and english people but there is not very much I can say as they are my customers as such as we are pubs and a dying trade we need customers, But WHY do we have to listen to this and not retaliate? I have had my mum visit me one time in work and heard a racist comment but could not say anything as this is the way things are going nower day's!...... I feel SICK that I just got to listen to this and DO NOTHING!..... come on we are the UK and move on! STOP this hatred please we are year 2009 not 1960........... wake up! hence why I am angry at all this stupid hatred as we say its now 2009 not the past.....”
by John King, Cwmbran
Wednesday, January 28 2009, 8:04PM
“Mr Hain. Have you no conviction, or courage?ou have made very serious accusations directed at the BNP.Either provide your proof or accept Kevin Edwards challenge to a debate. You never know you might score a point and gain a voter. Your mum perhaps. Come on man! you don't want to be viewed as a craven coward to boot do you?”
by Welsh & Proud, Neath
Wednesday, January 28 2009, 10:13AM
“I was Labour all my life as were all my ancestors going back a hundred years. However since the greasy squalid multiculturalists took over I wouldn't use zanulabour to wipe my boots clean. Ex-labour . VICTORY TO THE BNP!”
by Dave, Bridgend, South Wales
Tuesday, January 27 2009, 10:28PM
“I get the feeling that the people of Wales are beginning to realize what the 3 main parties and Plaid have in store for them - mass unemployment, jobs going to cheaper foreign workers, Welsh traditions ended, Islamification of Wales, endless pointless war in Afghanistan, rip-off Britain, rising crime with no deterrent and lastly demographic change on a scale that could never have been imagined only one or two generations ago. Ignore the old-gang corrupt politicians and give the BNP a chance to prove themselves. Well done people of Wales, as the Who song goes - ' We won't get fooled again !'”